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One of the most frustrating things that could happen in a build site is when tools break. They're meant to make your job easier, not delay and disrupt it. Because if they don't work properly, then you can't focus on getting the job done. To ensure you get the most out of your tools, you need proper maintenance and management.
That's similar to what managed services can offer your construction company. But instead of physical tools, a managed service provider (MSP) takes care of your technology. We make sure your technology not only stays running but is making your work that much easier.
Intelligent Technical Solutions (ITS) is an IT support company with years of experience helping construction companies understand how managed services can streamline their technology. Our mission is to ensure that your IT makes your job easier, so you can focus on getting things done right for your clients.
Finding an MSP for your construction company isn't as easy as looking up the most popular one and going with that. It's all about acknowledging the unique needs of your industry and finding the right fit. Fortunately, we have compiled a comprehensive guide that lays out everything your construction company needs to know before getting IT support services.
This guide was made for businesses in the construction industry that are looking for a way to streamline their IT processes and help them make the most of their technology. It's not just for company decision-makers; it's also for people who are looking to learn what an MSP is and how it can help them.
Managed IT Services is the process of delegating your IT tasks to an expert third-party organization that specializes in those responsibilities. These organizations are known as MSPs. They can take up anything from portions to all of your IT operations as agreed upon in your Service Level Agreement (SLA).
MSPs offer many different types of services. Some of them specialize in or are better equipped to provide for a client's specific needs. It's never a one-size-fits-all, especially when it comes to your technology.
To select the one that would fulfill your organization's IT needs, you will have to determine your business objectives. Do you need help adding cybersecurity software, analyzing data, or managing calls and emails? Set a defined goal and hire an MSP to help you achieve it.
Effective communication is crucial in running a construction business. However, for some businesses, this task may be time-consuming and labor-intensive. For this, a Managed Communication Service Provider is key.
This type of service provides a broad range of options, from video calling and messaging software to email services. Some MSPs can act as a third-party call center for their clients looking to outsource this aspect of their business.
In 2020, cybercrime rose by 600% since the pandemic began. Almost half of those attacks were aimed at small businesses. Regardless of the size of your organization, it is vital now more than ever to secure your network.
With that in mind, MSPs often offer critical security services, including managed firewall, intrusion detection, a virtual private network (VPN), and antiviral services. They can also help scan your network for vulnerabilities and recommend solutions to bolster your cybersecurity efforts.
An MSP will also be monitoring your systems to help you stay on top of potential internal or external attacks.
Data analytics is one of the top three services small to medium businesses (SMB) seek from MSPs, and for a good reason. According to a study by MicroStrategy, 64% of the companies that utilize data analytics reported that it helped improve their efficiency and productivity. Over half of the respondents believed it allowed them to make more effective decisions faster and led to better financial performance.
Some MSPs are equipped with the tools and services that can help you tap into the benefits of effective data analytics.
An MSP offering this type of service can help remotely manage your print operations by providing services to help cut down on many hidden costs. Some of these services include:
Cloud-based services are the perfect solution for organizations that need mobility, like those opting for permanent remote offices even after the easing of pandemic restrictions. It allows your team to share files and access data anytime and anywhere. Some MSPs offer a cost-effective cloud solution that can help you access your information securely.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that lets anyone place phone calls over an internet connection. It provides a host of capabilities analog landlines can't offer and does it for less than half the cost. With features like video conferencing and mobile device integration, VoIP has become the most popular telephony solution for businesses.
Whether you need a physical receiver or just software, an MSP can host the service and tailor it to your specific business needs.
Connectivity is a must in today's business landscape. Having your network managed by an MSP means less downtime, more security, and improved connection quality. Simply put, it helps your business stay connected, reducing your headaches and allowing you to focus on issues that matter most, like growing your business.
MSPs with experience working with construction companies like yours understand your industry's unique ins and outs. In other words, they can help optimize your systems for critical functions like estimations, accounting, project management, document management, and more. That helps streamline your operations as it improves your ability to adopt new technology and boosts its performance.
In addition, hiring an MSP frees up your team to concentrate their efforts on growing your business instead of focusing on keeping the lights on.
Services like managed Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and cloud services can drastically improve communication and collaboration between your team and your clients. Those are vital capabilities that can mean the difference in a successful build project.
Meeting short project deadlines is already a challenging task. However, unplanned outages and downtime can make it so much worse. They could potentially cause you to miss your deadlines or lose clients. A reliable MSP can help minimize downtimes with proactive maintenance that prevents tech issues in the first place. They can also help you recover from system issues much faster, effectively reducing delays.
According to a 2021 study by Accenture, the number of successful breaches — which include unauthorized access to data, applications, services, networks, or devices — is 31% higher than 2020 findings.
Managed cybersecurity is a comprehensive solution that can help you address that. It's a holistic service that can effectively protect you and your clients' data. That helps you keep sensitive and proprietary information safe, as well as prevent and mitigate costly security incidents.
A steady cash flow is crucial in the construction industry. That's because you need cash to fund new projects, keep current projects moving forward, pay for materials and labor and cover other costs. Unfortunately, if you need IT to support your operations, it's going to take a huge bite into your cash reserves. That's because building your own IT requires a high investment.
Managed services can help address that. They are often offered at fixed rates and fees that are predictable and scalable, depending on your organization's needs. The buy-in is also lower compared to building your own IT department from scratch, allowing you to keep more money in your reserves. In addition, when you do decide to establish your own team, you can do it slowly by letting your MSP fill in the gaps while you build.
If there's ever a constant in the construction industry – it's deadlines. Clients will always have a timeframe that you have to follow closely. Unfortunately, your technology can fail at any moment, derailing your plans. In those cases, you need an MSP that can offer you support 24/7 so that you can get your tech back online and your projects on time.
All businesses want to cut expenses and save costs one way or another. The problem is spending less doesn't mean you're earning or saving more. That's especially true when it comes to managing your technology. With that in mind, you shouldn't think of managed IT services as a monthly expense but rather as an investment for the future.
One of the most widely cited reasons US companies want to outsource their IT is so that they can free up resources to focus on their core business. That's because managed IT is centered on helping your business grow.
In fact, according to a study by the International Data Corporation (IDC), organizations experienced savings related to the reallocated staff resources as well as the reduction of additional staffing costs, which translated into a 42% average increase in productivity.
In the same study, the IDC also reported that the average investment per organization was $274,326 per 100 users. And in fewer than six months, those organizations achieved an overall ROI of 224%. That is how MSPs can help you not just save more money but grow your company.
However, you don't need to spend that much to get good returns. The cost of your managed IT service will depend on what your organization needs. Choosing the right plan can help you manage the cost so you can make the most out of your partnership.
ITS offers three comprehensive service plans that can meet different needs. They all include managed IT services, proactive maintenance, a full-service, 24/7 manned HelpDesk, and data backup/disaster recovery. Check them out below to learn what comes with each plan:
Core includes the basic security solutions that all businesses need. The plan costs $150/user/month. It includes standard managed services and cybersecurity staples such as end-point detection and response, multi-factor authentication, email anti-spoofing, and more.
Secure a plan designed for businesses looking for multi-layered protection and cyber insurance compliance needs. It costs $185/user/month. The plan was made to comply with most insurance needs. Secure includes everything from the core plan with the addition of advanced cybersecurity solutions that include active threat hunting, detection and response, threat intelligence, security training, and a lot more.
Enterprise is the premier choice for businesses that need to meet high regulatory compliance goals. Our full-stack offering includes everything from the previous plans with the addition of enterprise-level cybersecurity services. The Enterprise plan is $230/user/month. It includes sophisticated security solutions like SIEM (Security Incident and Event Management), your own virtual chief information security officer (CISO), and more.
If you already have your own IT team and security tools in place, you can also opt for a custom co-managed solution. That allows you to fill in the gaps in your security and choose only the solutions you need.
Choosing an MSP is not a popularity contest. You shouldn't be looking for the biggest or most expensive one out there. Instead, find the one that can meet your construction company's needs. It's all about finding the right fit. What's best for some may not necessarily be the best for you. However, to help you make an educated decision, we've compiled a list of the basics that you need to look for in an IT support company.
An MSP with a proven track record of working with construction firms understands your industry's unique culture and workflows. They are familiar with any resistance and integration challenges that come with introducing technology to your environment. In addition, IT support companies that serve construction firms know how important it is to align their strategies with your business objectives and financial constraints.
If your current IT team doesn't have 24/7 support 365 days a year, then you're not getting your money's worth. Finding an MSP that provides round-the-clock IT support is crucial in helping ensure your tech issues don't cause significant delays to your projects.
Construction companies usually have teams that are spread out in different areas. At any given moment, members of your team might need to get in touch with your office coordinator, a subcontractor picking up materials, or your client. That means your team needs to be able to access different kinds of information remotely for each job. MSPs can help provide the right solutions to optimize and secure that process.
Firms in construction have a lot of data to protect. That data is critical for your operations, whether it's blueprints, proprietary information, or other documents. Losing those documents and files is not an option. A reliable MSP can help protect your data, back it up and recover them for you if necessary.
According to a Gartner study, attacks on organizations in critical infrastructure sectors like the construction industry have increased dramatically from less than 10 in 2013 to almost 400 in 2020. Hiring a cybersecurity-focused MSP can help protect your business from that threat. They can offer enterprise-level security solutions that will enable you to prevent, mitigate and recover from cyber-attacks.
Managed IT services offers a range of benefits for your construction firm. It gives you the opportunity to outsource IT functions so that you can focus on growing your business.
At ITS, we make sure that we can meet our clients' needs and ensure that we are a good fit for their business before taking on any project.
Want to find out if your construction company is a good fit for our managed IT service? Schedule a meeting with us or fill out our form for a free tech assessment.
Managed IT services offers a range of benefits for your construction firm. It gives you the opportunity to outsource IT functions so that you can focus on growing your business.
At ITS, we make sure that we can meet our clients' needs and ensure that we are a good fit for their business before taking on any project.
Want to find out if your construction company is a good fit for our managed IT service? Schedule a meeting with us or fill out our form for a free tech assessment.